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UK family spending 'highest in Northern Ireland'

The average household in Northern Ireland spends more money each week than any other constituent country in the UK, figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have suggested.

In its Family Spending report, the body revealed that mean expenditure within the six counties was £479.70 between 2006 and 2008 - £14.50 more than England, £46.90 more than Scotland and £73 more than Wales.

Among the major differences between the areas was the amount of money spent on clothing and footwear, with the average of £34.50 in Northern Ireland compared with £22.20 in England.

However, despite less being spent in England as a whole during the two-year period, mean expenditure was greater in the east and south-east regions, as well as London.

The ONS also announced today that spending on clothing and footwear was down across the UK, with an average of £21.60 recorded in 2008 - the lowest level since 2001-02.